A NUMBER of schools in the country are now offering parents the option of online learning in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its ongoing disruptions.
This raises the question of what education may look like in the ‘new normal’, and leaves parents wondering if this could be a safer and more affordable option in securing quality education for their children.
ALSO READ: Gas-to-power project enters next environmental phase
According to previous research conducted by independent advisory firm AlphaWealth, the cost of top, traditional private school education in South Africa averaged between R1.8 and R8.7-million over a child’s entire school career.
These huge numbers excluded necessities such as textbooks and uniforms, and refer only to actual fees. So how do these fees for alternative online options compare?
Premium options
The majority of premium private schools appear to be offering online classes for current learners during the pandemic. One school in Gauteng stands out for its purely online school offering for learners from Grade 8, which comes in at a reduced cost of R85 000 per annum. With annual high school fees of R154 000 for in-person classes, this could amount to an annual saving of over R69 000 for just academics, or more than R200 000 when taking into account boarding and entrance fees.
More accessible options
Other institutions offer traditional private schooling options across South Africa, and also offer online services. Here, school fees are relatively affordable and their online offering provides a lower price point for parents looking to try an alternative learning method. This can amount to a saving of more than R40 000 for Grades 4 to 7, and just over R50 000 for Grades 8 to 10.
Purely online options
Online schooling has been an option since long before the pandemic, with many established virtual offerings providing South African learners with alternatives to traditional schooling. There are numerous options of such academic institutions offering their services countrywide.
Tertiary education options
In South Africa the employment rate is 30% higher for people with a tertiary qualification, compared to those who only have a matric pass. With the growing popularity of online learning, for which learners who completed their schooling virtually may be better equipped, higher education may become far more accessible, giving learners an edge in the job market. The move towards greater reliance on new teaching methods and the integration of technology now seems inevitable, with most South African universities now offering some form of online course availability.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
WhatsApp – 060 784 2695
Instagram – zululand_observer
